Planning inspector Mark Yates repeatedly told the meeting that the anti-social issues did not specifically relate to the fact that the route had historically been used as a public right of way.

“That’s how the law works,” he said. “If I said the path cannot be used due to anti-social behavior (…) I would end up in the high court.

“We have to put an end to all this, we are wasting time.”

There have been calls for barriers to be erected and other means to be blocked to prevent vehicles from traveling there.

However, legally regulated roads cannot be closed in this way.

Helen Chester, from the British Horse Society’s access team, said many riders using the route have to navigate obstacles.